sculpting book recommendations

updated sat 21 jan 06

Neal on sat 14 jan 06

A member of the Triangle Potters Guild recommended
that I order a book about making sculpture for our
library. Does anyone have one to recommend? In
looking through The Potters Shop catalog and
browsing on Amazon, I noticed a bunch that are
possibilities:

Making Ceramic Sculpture by Raul Acero
The Portrait in Clay by Peter Rubino
Modeling the Head in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi
Modeling the Figure in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi
Modelling and Sculpting the Human Figure by Edouard Lanteri
Figure in Clay by Suzanne J. E. Tourtillott
Sculpting Clay by Leon Nigrosh

Due to our limited budget and the things on my
wish list already exceeding it, I really need to
narrow these down to one (or find out about another
book that will be the one best book to order).

Thanks.

Neal O'Briant
neal126@yahoo.com

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Warren Heintz on sat 14 jan 06

For figurative sculpture I would go with the Bruno Lucchesi books in a heartbeat.

Neal wrote: A member of the Triangle Potters Guild recommended
that I order a book about making sculpture for our
library. Does anyone have one to recommend? In
looking through The Potters Shop catalog and
browsing on Amazon, I noticed a bunch that are
possibilities:

Making Ceramic Sculpture by Raul Acero
The Portrait in Clay by Peter Rubino
Modeling the Head in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi
Modeling the Figure in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi
Modelling and Sculpting the Human Figure by Edouard Lanteri
Figure in Clay by Suzanne J. E. Tourtillott
Sculpting Clay by Leon Nigrosh

Due to our limited budget and the things on my
wish list already exceeding it, I really need to
narrow these down to one (or find out about another
book that will be the one best book to order).

Thanks.

Neal O'Briant
neal126@yahoo.com

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Snail Scott on sat 14 jan 06

At 06:11 AM 1/14/2006 -0800, you wrote:
>A member of the Triangle Potters Guild recommended
>that I order a book about making sculpture for our
>library...I noticed a bunch that are
>possibilities:

>Making Ceramic Sculpture by Raul Acero:

Good diverse group of examples, and good 'demo' photos,
as I recall. It starts from zero, as an instructional
text for someone with no experience in clay. I don't
care for the 'how-to' projects. Still, it's fairly
inexpensive and not half bad.

>The Portrait in Clay by Peter Rubino:

I don't know this one. Sounds limited. If you're only
going to get one or two books, though, I'd get more
general ones.

>Modeling the Head in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi
>Modeling the Figure in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi:

Classic 'academic' style traditional techniques based
on working solid over an armature. Good for that sort
of thing, but limited, in my mind. Someone approaching
sculpture from either a ceramics background or a
contemporary art approach will probably want more
diversity. I'd hate for anyone to think that this is
the only way to do sculpture in clay, and that's sort
of how it's presented, here. Good as a supplemental book
for those who are interested in these techniques. I'd
still get something more general to start with, though.

>Modelling and Sculpting the Human Figure by Edouard Lanteri:

A classic old text, of the sort that students learning
the techniques described by Lucchesi might have used
75 years ago. Inexpensive, and interesting as a historic
document. Some good observations on anatomy and such,
though skewed to the tastes of its period. Very few
illustrations, due to its age. Not aimed at ceramics at
all, though. Clay is used as a modeling material only.
Don't pay more than $5.

>Figure in Clay by Suzanne J. E. Tourtillott:

If it's the one I'm thinking of, it has lots and
lots of good images. A picture book, not a technique
book. Diverse styles, so good to look at even for
folks who aren't interested in the figure. Recent,
so you'll probably have to pay full price. Good for
inspiration, if that's what you want.

>Sculpting Clay by Leon Nigrosh:

A bit dated, style-wise, and skinny, but decent tech
info as well as images (about half B&W). Since it's
been in print for what? 25 years? it's easy to find
second-hand copies for pretty cheap.

MY recommendation:
Buy the Acero book if you want basic how-to. Get the
Tourtillot book if you want pictures to look at. Pick
up the Nigrosh book, but second-hand. Then keep an eye
peeled for the others if they turn up, second-hand,
but don't pay much for them. The Lucchesi books turn
up all the time in used bookshops and on Half.com, etc.
The Lanteri book is only about 10 bucks new (it's a
Dover paperback reprint), but you can find it for half
that in lots of places. Don't pay much.

I like to pay full price for books now and then, when
I know that the author will see a little bit of the
price come back to them, or to support a locally-
owned bookshop, but I can't afford to do that for
every book out there. I definitely see no need to pay
big bucks to big soulless corporate bookseller for
a book whose author won't see a nickel anyway. If
you're going to buy new, go to the Potters Shop or a
local shop if you can. Otherwise, go cheap and buy
second-hand.

-Snail

Elizabeth Priddy on sat 14 jan 06

Neal,

I recommend these two, especially the Head.
It had good diagrams on how to measure and
transfer measurements.

I would inquire a little about whether they are interested
specifically in modelling people, as there are very
good books on anatomy and figure studies that
might be even ore helpful. These two books won't help
you very much if you are interested in non-figurative
sculpture.

Elizabeth

PS

Don was right. Jeffery and I are happily married. We
only started dating a while after working in Cary. But
he was wrong on the other, I am well past 27 yrs old !
Working on my 4th decade now and a baby-o to boot...
So he's batting 500 on predictions.

Warren Heintz wrote:
Modeling the Head in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi
Modeling the Figure in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi

Elizabeth Priddy

Beaufort, NC - USA
http://www.elizabethpriddy.com

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Elizabeth Priddy on sat 14 jan 06

Neal,

I recommend these two, especially the Head.
It had good diagrams on how to measure and
transfer measurements.

I would inquire a little about whether they are interested
specifically in modelling people, as there are very
good books on anatomy and figure studies that
might be even ore helpful. These two books won't help
you very much if you are interested in non-figurative
sculpture.

Elizabeth

PS

Don was right. Jeffery and I are happily married. We
only started dating a while after working in Cary. But
he was wrong on the other, I am well past 27 yrs old !
Working on my 4th decade now and a baby-o to boot...
So he's batting 500 on predictions.

Warren Heintz wrote:
Modeling the Head in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi
Modeling the Figure in Clay by Bruno Lucchesi

Debbie on sat 14 jan 06

Hi Neal,

You may wish to also consider Ceramic Sculpture Methods & Processes by John
B. Kenny for it's coverage of a wide variety of techniques including some on
mold making. It's an excellent introduction for people new to clay yet
offers so much variety almost any one is bound to find useful ideas here.

There are three books by Bruno Lucchesi, all are pictorial records of him
making demonstration pieces. One is about anatomy (human), one is sculpting
the head and another (Terracotta the Technique of Fired Clay Sculpture)
demonstrates a variety of pieces being made and gives some practical
information on drying, firing, finishing, etc.

Also Ceramic Sculpture by Betty Davenport Ford may be hard to find but well
worth the search.

The two Lanteri books (one on sculpting humans and the other on animals) are
excellent but I would recommend them only for advanced sculpture students
looking for insight into esthetic theory.

If anyone might be looking for information on bronze sculpture, From Clay to
Bronze by Tuck Langland is excellent. It covers contemporary foundry methods
for art bronzes.

Best Wishes, Debbie

> Subject: Sculpting Book Recommendations
>
>
> A member of the Triangle Potters Guild recommended
> that I order a book about making sculpture for our
> library. Does anyone have one to recommend? >

Kathy Forer on sun 15 jan 06

On Jan 14, 2006, at 9:37 PM, Debbie wrote:

> You may wish to also consider Ceramic Sculpture Methods & Processes
> by John
> B. Kenny for it's coverage of a wide variety of techniques
> including some on
> mold making. It's an excellent introduction for people new to clay yet
> offers so much variety almost any one is bound to find useful ideas
> here.

Slightly dated even when it first came out, nonetheless very charming
an easy way in to all sorts of techniques.

> The two Lanteri books (one on sculpting humans and the other on
> animals)

The Lanteri I-III are now as a one volume Dover edition. Lacks the
perusability of three volumes, good to have available.

Also books of photographs of human beings in motion such as Muybridge
and books of drawing and anatomy for artists.

A special addition to a library is Sculpture Inside and Out / Malvina
Hoffman, 1939
Includes many photos:
115. Abraham Lincoln, Portrait by Daniel Chester French in the
Lincoln Memorial, Washington
199. Tiger Sculpture in Bronze, Chou Dynasty
185. Carved Ivory Tusk from Benin
176. Maurice Saulo Working on His Bas-relief Illustrating French
Fairy Tales, on Modern School Building Near Paris,
167. Ancient Sculpture on a Mayan Temple, Living Type of Mayan, 1935.
Note striking similarity of the the Head Structure and Line of Profile
248. wonderful 6th Century Etruscan Terra Cotta Warrior

"The Timelessness of Art" and "Suggestions for a Practical Art
Center" are chapter headings.

note 1939 date, This would make a nice reprint

Kathy Forer
www.kforer.com

Graeme Anderson on sun 15 jan 06

If you try to get Kenny's book on loan from your library, these are the
details from my post back in November.

Marcia Selsor on sun 15 jan 06

For inspiration "Clay Talks" is a book of interviews with American
Masters in Clay. Published with a McNight Grant from Minnesota, I
think throught the Northern Clay Center.
I always believ Art is 90 % inspiration and 10% perspiration even in
Clay! Also I will repeat "Exuberance" by Jameson. Just google or go
to ABEbooks.com for the correct ISBN and go to the library..
Marcia Selsor
in Montana

Ivor and Olive Lewis on mon 16 jan 06

Dear Neal=20

I have all of the Luccesi books. They are most instructive and easy to =
learn from if you have no experience.

Best of luck with your new venture at the Guild

Neal on fri 20 jan 06

Thanks for all the responses, both public and private,
to my question about sculpting books. One of our
members saw my post and has donated Making Ceramic
Sculpture by Raul Acero to our library.

I'll pass along the notes I made from all the
responses to the member who made the initial request
after letting her get first dibs on the Acero book.
Some of the other books may be more what she had in
mind.

It feels like Christmas at my house. I just got in
two of my orders (seven books) and will be sending
out my order to the Potters Shop this weekend. It
will be for 13 items.

Neal O'Briant

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